Certified Recovery Specialists (CRS) are drug and alcohol peers in recovery who have been trained to help others move into and through the recovery process. The Recovery Specialist’s responsibility is to respond to calls from hospital emergency departments and engage with clients who have experienced an opiate/heroin overdose. Recovery Specialists will engage clients and establish a rapport, assist in the development of a recovery plan, and facilitate access to the appropriate resources including a warm hand-off directly to treatment when applicable.
In addition, the CRS will educate the individual, family, and community about the disease of addition and the recovery process. They will be able to engage with families to support their loved ones through the recovery process. THIS IS A PART-TIME POSITION.
Recovery Specialists will conduct self in an ethical manner by adhering to the CRS code of ethics and standards of practice, maintain confidentiality regarding information received during the facilitation of recovery support services, continue personal growth through active participation in the recovery process, and engage in continuing professional development relative to recovery support services.
As a CRS, an individual accepts and agrees that his/her experience as a person in recovery from a substance use condition will be known by their colleagues, persons served, and others with whom he/she may share that they have achieved this credential. A person with lived experience must attest that he/she has personal, lived recovery experience in a continuous manner for a minimum of 18 months to be eligible for the CRS credential. Additional education in drug and alcohol counseling, psychology, social work, and health fields/nursing are preferred but not required.